John Oxley Library Fellowship

As one of Queensland’s most prestigious research awards for over 10 years, the John Oxley Library Fellowship offers researchers, writers, historians and content creators the opportunity to discover Queensland’s rich history utilising the resources of the John Oxley Library and State Library of Queensland. The fellowship recipient will receive a stipend of $20,000.

2018 Recipient - Dr Jennifer Moffatt

Dr Jennifer Moffatt is the 2018 recipient of the John Oxley Library Fellowship for her project The story of Queensland’s selectors: how those who won land in a ballot contributed to Queensland’s social, economic and political development. Jennifer will examine the collections of the John Oxley Library and academic research to describe how the last selectors contributed to the progress of Queensland. The project will endeavour to make a new, rich and invaluable contribution to understanding Queensland’s social, economic, political and development.

Breadcrumb trail:

Terms and conditions

The amount of the Fellowship to be awarded will be $20,000. This amount may be used to supplement the researcher’s income during work on his/her project or to meet any necessary travel and research cost, within the parameters of the Fellowship.

The project must be completed within 12 months of the appointment of the successful Fellow.

Before the scholarship is awarded, the successful Fellow will be required to sign an agreement with State Library of Queensland detailing terms of the Fellowship. This agreement covers reporting timelines, use of copyright materials, observation of standards in outcomes, plagiarism, acknowledgements, use of social media and research protocols.

Two progress reports are to be submitted to the Research Coordinator,, Queensland Memory and Queensland Library Foundation over the course of the project. The first report is due mid-term of the Fellowship, the second report at the conclusion of the Fellowship. It is anticipated that the Fellow maintain close contact with the Research Coordinator, Queensland Memory.

Funding scope

Fellowships cannot be used to fund research projects which are a component of postgraduate studies.

Fellowships are not intended to fund costs associated with the delivery of outcomes of the research such as exhibitions and displays, printing publications and production costs of performances. Fellowships are intended to fund only the research and/or the creation of the content that contributes toward possible future activities.

Requirements of the Fellows

It is expected that the research project will further the development of an outcome in the future. Examples of outcomes include research towards the development of content for: a publication, an online engagement activity, a cultural activity or product, cultural heritage activity or product.

An annotated bibliography will be compiled as a result of the research undertaken and presented to the State Library for use as a research resource.

The Fellow will be expected to compose and/or contribute to at least two (2) articles to State Library’s John Oxley Library blog related to his/her research.

The Fellow will be expected to deliver at least two (2) presentations as part of a public events program and participate in any presentation requests from the Queensland Library Foundation.

It is desirable that all outcomes of the research undertaken during the Fellowship are given due acknowledgement of the award

Additionally, the Fellow is to be available for publicity purposes relating to the Fellowship.

Processing Applications

An independent selection committee will assess shortlisted applications and receive a list of all applications for the John Oxley Library Fellowship. The selection committee may, at their discretion, interview short-listed applicants.

The successful applicant will be notified before any public announcement. All applicants will be notified in writing regarding the outcome of their application after the decision is announced.

The decision of the selection committee is final and no discussion or correspondence will be entered into regarding the committee’s decision. It should be noted that State Library of Queensland staff are not eligible to apply.

Fellows will be provided with physical space, Wi-Fi and printing access to conduct their own research. Fellows are expected to bring in their own laptop computer to complete their project. Fellows will be given an initial orientation and introduction to the Library. Fellows should liaise with the Research Coordinator Queensland Memory to assist with their day-to-day needs and enquiries while using State Library collections.

Assessment of applications

The Panel will consider the following points when assessing applications:

Relevance to Queensland historyDoes the project create new knowledge about or enhance understanding of Queensland’s history? Does the topic have State-wide significance? Does the project reveal untold or unknown stories or does it complement existing studies? If so, how?

Innovative approachIs the project approach to the topic innovative and original in some way?Does the project or the anticipated project outcomes aim to use SLQ resources in new and innovative ways?

Use of collectionsDoes the project make relevant use of the resources within John Oxley Library and/or State Library or other significant Queensland documentary heritage collections or will it contribute to filling a gap in these collections? Will the project raise awareness of the content and/or importance of the John Oxley Library and/or State Library collections?

Project scope and outcomesDoes the project description outline clear research goals? Is the project achievable within the timeframes taking into account accessible resources? Is the scope of the project clear? Is the project at the beginning, middle or end of a bigger project?

Does the project have the potential to contribute toward the development of a tangible outcome, e.g. publication, performance, digital story, on-line resource, lecture, exhibition, curatorial contribution?